Khushwant Singh (1915-2014) was an Indian novelist , journalist, and historian , widely regarded as one of India's most [prominent ] writers of the 20th century. He was born in Hadali, Punjab (now in Pakistan) and later moved to Delhi where he studied law at St. Stephen's College . He worked as a lawyer, journalist, and editor before turning to full-time writing. Singh was the editor of two [prominent ] Indian newspapers, The Illustrated Weekly of India and The Hindustan Times. He wrote numerous novels, short stories, and non-fiction books, many of which dealt with themes of Indian history, politics, and social issues. Some of his famous works include Train to Pakistan, Delhi: A Novel, and The Company of Women. Singh was awarded the Padma Bhushan , India's third-highest civilian award, in 1974, and the Padma Vibhushan , the second-highest civilian award, in 2007.

1. The Passage of Time and Aging
   • Grandmother's constant old age
   • Change in relationship dynamics over time
   • Grandmother's acceptance of her impending death
2. Tradition versus Modernity
   • Grandmother's traditional beliefs and practices
   • Narrator's education in an English school
   • conflict between traditional and modern values
3. The Bond between Grandparents and Grandchildren
   • Early companionship between the narrator

"She had always been short and fat and slightly bent. Her face was a criss-cross of wrinkles running from everywhere to everywhere."

This line is important because it provides a vivid description of the grandmother's appearance, emphasizing her old age and the physical signs of aging. It highlights the narrator's perception of his grandmother as always having been old.

"She was like the winter landscape in the mountains, an expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment."

This metaphor is significant because it captures the essence of the grandmother's character. It conveys her calm, peaceful, and contented nature, likening her to a serene, beautiful winter landscape.

"As the years rolled by we saw less of each other."

This line is crucial as it signifies the gradual distancing between the narrator and his grandmother due to the ...

Grandmother

The grandmother is depicted as a deeply religious, traditional, and loving woman. She is portrayed as being old and wrinkled for as long as the narrator can remember. She is short, fat, and slightly bent, with a face full of wrinkles. She always wears spotless white clothes and is constantly praying with her rosary beads. Despite her physical appearance, the narrator sees her as beautiful, comparing her to a serene , peaceful winter landscape. She shares a close bond with the narrator, taking care of him and accompanying him to school when he was younger. As the narrator grows older and attends an English school, the grandmother disapproves of the modern education, distancing herself from him. She spends most of her time spinning and praying, only taking breaks to feed the sparrows in ...

📿 Grandmother's rosary beads

The rosary beads symbolize the grandmother's strong faith and devotion to her religion. They also represent a source of comfort and stability in her life. The beads are mentioned several times throughout the passage, emphasizing their importance to her. When she passes away, the rosary beads fall from her lifeless fingers, signifying the end of her life and her spiritual journey.

🎡 Spinning wheel

The spinning wheel is another symbol of the grandmother's devotion and her traditional way of living. She spends her days spinning and praying, which reflects her simple, spiritual lifestyle. The spinning wheel also symbolizes the passage of time and the continuity of life, as she continues to spin until her final days.

🫓 Stale chapattis

The stale chapattis symbolize the grandmother's kindness and compassion towards others, including animals. She feeds the village dogs and later the sparrows with the ...

Introduction and Early Years:

The narrator introduces his grandmother as a constant, an old lady who he claims has been old for as long as he's known her. He shares anecdotes of their time together when he was a child, with the grandmother taking him to school, feeding the...

1. mantelpiece
   • Meaning: a structure of wood, marble, or other material above and around a fireplace
   • Sentence: The antique clock on the mantelpiece chimed every hour, reminding me of the passage of time.
2. undignified
   • Meaning: appearing foolish, lacking in dignity or respect
   • Sentence: His behavior at the party was undignified , which caused many guests to feel uncomfortable.
3. puckered
   • Meaning: tightly gathered or contracted into wrinkles or small folds
   • Sentence: When she tasted the lemon, her lips puckered and her eyes squinted.
4. inaudible
   • Meaning: unable to be ...